Boosh in the USA

I've waited 2 years and the Boosh DVDs, all 3 seasons, are finally being sold in the US.  One (edited) episode every Sunday night on Adult Swim is not enough.

The Mighty Boosh, a comedy out of the UK, first aired on BBC 3 in 2004 with their 1st season.  The show mostly revolves around 2 very opposite friends, a shaman, and a gorilla in a different setting each season.  The Boosh stars and creators, Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt, have made 2 additional seasons, The Mighty Book of Boosh, a Boosh Festival in Kent, a live tour, and more.  It's weird how much I know about them.  Watch Noel and Julian on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon here.

The Boosh has had several bands as guests on the show such as Razorlight, The Horrors (as The Black Tubes), and Robots In Disguise (Noel's gf's group).  They also make repeated references to groups such as Fleetwood Mac (mostly Tusk), Kings of Leon, Kraftwerk, Adam Ant, Amy Winehouse, The Human League, The Cure, Klaxons, Pete Dougherty, Mick Jagger, and a ton of Gary Numan ("electro pioneer").

Also, Noel Fielding has appeared in music videos such as anything by Robots in Disguise, Blue Song by Mint Royale, and Vlad the Impaler by Kasabian.

The Horrors - Sea Within a Sea.m4a

Christmas Tunes

My favorite Christmas album of all time is Pretty Paper by Willie Nelson BUT I don't have any of that here.  Instead, here are some other holiday tracks to spread the joy.
Belle and Sebastian - O Come, O Come Emmanuel.mp3
Julian Casablancas - I Wish It Was Christmas Today.m4a
Sufjan Stevens - Get Behind Me, Santa!.mp3

fun. - Believe In Me.mp3
The Knife - Christmas Reindeer.mp3
I like this mix because it's a good mix of old tunes and new tunes, older artists and newer artists.  The classics are great, but these are a bit different to jam out to during the festivus season.  You can get enough Drummer Boy at the mall, or Walgreens, or every other place.

Vinyl & Vodka

VinylandVodka.com extends their blog into a virtual magazine, V&V.

 READ ISSUE #1 

Best Albums of 2009 (According to Other Sources)

Lists are hard to make which is why I haven't made one yet.  I will though.  Until then, here is a list of lists of BEST ALBUMS OF 2009...so far

NPR Music (listeners vote) with favorite tracks
1.  Grizzly Bear - Veckatemist - "Two Weeks"
2.  Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion - "My Girls"
3.  Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - "Lisztomania"
4.  Neko Case - Middle Cyclone - "This Tornado Loves You"
5.  Andrew Bird - Noble Beast - "Oh No"
6.  The Decemberists - Hazards of Love - "The Rake's Song"
7.  Wilco - Wilco (the album) - "Wilco (the song)"
8.  Bon Iver - Blood Bank - "Blood Bank"
9.  The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You - "I and Love and You"
10.  St. Vincent - Actor - "The Strangers"
View full list here.

NME Magazine (current readers vote)
1.  Kasabien - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
2.  White Lies - To Lose My Life
3.  Muse - The Resistance
4.  The Horrors - Primary Colours
5.  Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
6.  Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
7.  Fever Ray - Fever Ray
8.  Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
9.  Florence and the Machine - Lungs
10.  Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
View full list here.

Spin Magazine
1.  Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
2.  Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
3.  Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
4.  Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
5.  Girls - Album
6.  Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
7.  Mos Def - The Ecstatic
8.  Florence and the Machine - Lungs
9.  Drake - So Far Gone
10.  The Dead Weather - Horehound
View full list here.

Time Magazine
1.  Brad Paisley - American Saturday Night
2.  The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
3.  Mastadon - Crack the Skye
4.  Miranda Lambert - Revolution
5.  Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
View full list here.

Pretty Much Amazing (readers voted for their favs- album choices picked by PMA)
1.  Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (33%)
2.  Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (20%)
3.  Passion Pit - Manners (17%)
4.  The xx - xx (11%)
5.  Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest (8%)
6.  The Antlers - Hospice (4%)
7.  The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (3%)
8.  Neko Case - Middle Cyclone (2%)
9.  Japandroids - Post-Nothing (1%)
10.  Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers (<1%)
View full post here.

Of course, several albums appear repeatedly.  Merriweather Post Pavilion gets a ton of attention, but is also highly criticized for being overly hyped.  Also, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is on every list but is never voted #1.  Look out for my own personal "Best of 2009" lists to be published soon.

Music for Andy at the Library

Here is a list of random songs for Andy to listen to while she's studying at the library.  Andy studies a lot because she is in a lot of finance classes.  Everyone meet Andy...

Miami Horror
I got this song from a blog that got it from another blog, [redthreat]
Pnau - Embrace ft. Ladyhawke (Fred Falke & Miami Horror Remix).mp3
This song's music video makes me want to never eat again and run away to Australia and be 17
Miami Horror - Sometimes.mp3
Sea Wolf
This song made me confess, "Yes, I did like the new Twilight movie.  Sorry I'm not  sorry."  (I hated the 1st one... I paid to see both.)
Sea Wolf - The Violet Hour.mp3
Kids At The Bar
Love Ellie Goulding.  Still undecided on Kill Hannah.
Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (KIDS AT THE BAR Remix).mp3
Kill Hannah - New York City Speed (Kids At The Bar Remix).mp3
Band of Skulls
I just bought their album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, and I listened to it the whole time I was home for the holiday.  I wasn't sure at first, but now I'm a big fan.  I wish I woke up early enough to see them at Lollapalooza this summer.  Emma Richardson's vocals are cool.
Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am.m4a
Band of Skulls - Blood.m4a
Neon Indian
If I had any money or friends in Brooklyn, I would go see this group on 12/17.  Very lo-fi
Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer.mp3
Neon Indian - Mind, Drips.mp3
Dan Deacon
I could've left my friends to go see him with Wavves in Athens at the 40 Watt... not proud of this.  His live ensemble was really impressive in Chicago.  I didn't expect it at all.
Dan Deacon - Red F.m4a
Wavves - Cool Jumper.mp3
PONYREX
I put this song on in the car when I want to intimidate the passengers.  Chromeo + a freaky Calvin Harris
PONYREX - Freq.mp3
Modern Skirts
Another great group out of Athens, GA.  Check out their myspace at modernskirts' myspace or buy their album at www.athensmusic.net
Modern Skirts - Like Lunatics.mp3

Twilight's New Moon soundtrack is disturbingly good.

I was really really surprised to see groups such as Grizzly Bear, Thom Yorke (of Radiohead, who also lent a song to the 1st soundtrack), and Muse (for a 2nd time as well) on the New Moon soundtrack.  I don't hate the Twilight saga like most other critics of the soundtrack BUT I don't want to go see Grizzly Bear and feel like I'm surrounded by the Edward Cullen fan club.
I'd expect teen angst rock bands like Paramore to be on the list.  Paramore fans are Twilights fans are Pattinson fans are Paramore fans.  I detest Paramore with minor fervor.  Sorry I'm not sorry.  But secretly, I read the Twilight books, the 2nd was my favorite, so I kind of hope the movie is good considering the 1st one was a catastrophic failure.
Also, I was the most surprised with Thom Yorke's appearance on the CD especially after snubbing Miley Cyrus (a huge "overly self-entitled teen celeb" fan).  I would've expected someone like Chris Martin of Coldplay, but not Thom.  Maybe he's trying to win back all the scenester teens loyal to Miley that he lost when he refused to meet her.
In all honesty, I want to buy a few of the songs like "Friends" by Band of Skulls and the tracks from Lykke Li, Bon Iver, and The Magic Numbers, but I do not want the whole album.  14/18 songs are "album only" plus 1 Death Cab for Cutie music video that I also DO NOT WANT.
...Greedy.

"For a reliable babysitter call 1(800)MINIVAN"

I'm trying to figure out how to get this video on a thumbnail instead of a link but either way you have to watch it...
If you appreciate white minivans, rollerskates, and speedos, you'll love this.  Here's a music video made by some kids from my home town starring Atlanta-based standup comic, Josh Harris.
White Minivan music video (video link)
By the way, this content is both hilarious and partially disturbing.

HELLa HELLacious HELL-oween Playlist

(I don't usually say "hella"...ever.)  With the big hollows holiday comin up, it's only appropriate to compile a dark and dreary playlist for pumpkin craving, costume making, etc.  I, myself, have no idea what to dress up as... Kanye West maybe.  Perhaps an electro viking or a mod panda.  Either way, I'll probably be listening to these 13 creepy (but not really) tracks while I figure it out.
HAPPY HELL-O-ING(TON)
1.  White Lies - Death (Chase & Status Remix)
2.  Gorillaz - Last Living Souls
3.  Diplo - Must Be A Devil
4.  My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
5.  White Lies - Death (Crystal Castles Remix)
6.  MGMT - Of Moons, Birds and Monsters (Holy Ghost! Remix)
7.  INXS - Devil Inside
8.  Of Montreal - Death Is Not a Parallel Move
9.  Calvin Harris - Greatest Fear
10.  Ra Ra Riot - Ghost Under Rocks
11.  HEALTH - Die Slow (Tobacco Remix)
12.  The Killers - Bones
13.  White Lies - Death
Anything from the White Lies album To Lose My Life could be appropriate for this playlist, but "Death" is my favorite right now, as you may have noticed.  Despite favorites, this is an album that could easily be played all the way through, frequently contributing to new playlists.  With slight resemblances to The Killers mixed with Joy Division,  Graham's deep vocals bring you back to 80's alt rock with a modern Brit rock feel.  The background of their website WhiteLies.com is a video of a live performance of "Death" which is pretty unique and very cool.  Also, the frontman's kind of a fox.

Can You Clap Your Hands (clap clap)

I just got really excited when I noticed Of Montreal's "Gallery Piece" was #1 in popularity on Hype Machine at this very moment.  The Athens, Georgia-based group released their most recent album Skeletal Lamping earlier this year.  Its a satisfying mix of weird and awesome all in a single album, as expected.

Of Montreal - 11 Plastis Wafers.m4a
This is not an appropriate ringtone, I've learned.  Hopefully I can get some pictures up here soon from their performance at Lollapalooza, but the camera I used for that one is killed.  There is a two-page spread of it in the most recent copy of Spin Magazine though, incase you're interested.
Of Montreal is known for being a bit weird on stage whether they're throwing undressed baby dolls into the crowd, dancing around in monk costumes, or faking suicides on camera.  Just another day...

A friend of mine told me about witnessing Kevin Barnes (frontman) purchase a fair amount of clothes and accessories from a local consignment shop. Everything was purple ...there was a show that night.  New Years Eve, maybe- I don't remember.

Sébastien with an "e"

He looks like a French Jesus...

(or at least on the cover of his second album Politics in 2005)
The multi-lingual French singer, songwriter, and music maker, Sébastien Tellier, came out with his third album Sexuality last year.  It's the guy I mentioned earlier with his name on the really really soft super sized shirts from American Apparel (the first shop to sell his album.)
A track from the album, "L'amour et la Violence" to me, seems like what love may actually sound like.  Violence, too.  I don't normally say this but the Boys Noize remix might even be better.  Here ya go.
Sebastien Tellier - 11 L'amour et la violence.mp3
The lyrics are difficult to distinguish for the normal uni-lingual person.  My roommate Rundles speaks French very well and wrote it all down for me...
"Dis-moi ce que tu penses, de ma vie, mon adolescence,
Moi j'aime aussi l'amour et la violence."
(dee mwah suh kuh tu ponz, duh muh vee, mon adol-essonz,
mwah jahm ossee lah more eh la veeoh lonz)  ...Sorry for the massacre but the phonetics make it great for a French sing along so you can not just have it in your head all day.
Sebastien Tellier - L'amour et la Violence [Boys Noize Euro mix].mp3

Something To Look Forward To...

The Strokes' frontman Julian Casablancas' solo album, PHRAZES FOR THE YOUNG, will be released in the US on Nov. 3rd.  I've been listening to the new single "11th Dimension" on repeat.
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension.mp3
His voice sounds like freshman year...

Just as exciting is the announcement of Vampire Weekends new album.  CONTRA will be released on Jan 11th in the US.  The single, "Horchata," has been made available on the band's website since Oct 5th.  The summery song about winter and an almond barley beverage is sure to please anyone in bright polo swim trunks or v-neck sweaters.

Vampire Weekend - 01 Horchata.mp3

Phoenix Live (as promised)

Here are the crap videos of Phoenix at Monolith Festival that I promised.  Sorry it took a while to sort these out on my camera ... and they're a bit shaky.  Enjoy.  I'm in class right now so I can't check which song this is... maybe Armistice.
Phoenix at Red Rocks (video link)
People are goin to town on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix...
Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Version).mp3
Phoenix - Rome (Neighbours with Devendra Banhart Remix).mp3
Phoenix - Love Like A Sunset (Animal Collective RMX).mp3
Phoenix - 1901 (Fredrick Carlsson Remix).mp3

And a throwback...
Phoenix - Long Distance Call (Sebastien Tellier Remix).mp3
(I did purchase an over-priced, over-sized Sebastien Tellier shirt from American Apparel ...it's just REALLY soft.  I had to get it.)

Georgia Theater

I'm in Athens.  LSU vs. UGA in 3 hours.  
In June, the Georgia Theater on the corner of Lumpkin and Clayton in downtown Athens caught fire.  

Now I REALLY regret selling my Ghostland Observatory ticket in March, instead of just kind of regretting it.

The plan is to rebuild it!  Tons of benefit shows around Athens and Atlanta have been played to raise money for the renovation:  The Whigs, Zac Brown Band, the Dead Confederates and more.  For those in Athens, go to Georgia Theater to check out info about local fundraisers at the Classic Center downtown and concerts coming up in October.  For those of you not in Athens, you should check it out anyway.
The Whigs - Like a Vibration

Dead Confederate - The Rat.mp3

Calvin and the Human Synth

Alright I know this video has been out for a little while, but I've been sharing it a bit so here it is... my mom loved it.

Humanthesizer (video link)
The human synth will be used in Calvin's upcoming European tour.  Unreal.
In a recent interview, Calvin told Gotta Dance Dirty he thought the bikinis were tacky and if he had his way, he'd be in a lab coat and goggles. What a gent... What a genius gimmick from the record company.
Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend (Fake Blood Remix).mp3
Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend (High Contrast Remix).mp3
Hawt.

Word on the tweet from Calvin (yea, I said that.) Got a hell of a remix package for Flashback lined up! Not going to say names but the initials are: E.P, D.G, and.....G! I'm peeing my pants!
Ahh I can't figure it out. OK, Calvin Harris humpday is well over. That's enough for this week.
Wait! Eric Prydz, David Guetta... duh. Who else?...

Monolith Festival 2009

On my last day of being 21, maybe thirty other kids and myself took a bus up to Red Rocks Amphitheater for the Monolith Festival for that Sunday only:  The Dandy Warhols, Glitch Mob, Redman and Methodman, HEALTH, Passion Pit, Chromeo, Phoenix, MSTRKRFT, Savoy, and The Mars Volta.  That is everyone I can think of at this point.

Highlights:  Memories of The OC soundtrack from the Warhols, GLITCH MOB, and Phoenix was so much better than I thought they would be in that venue- I love their album (no, I do enjoy it a lot) and I was nervous, but they were perfect for the main stage.  Turns out Phoenix lost their equipment before the show.  There was none to rent in Denver so they hit up Guitar Center and bought the cheapest guitars possible.  Read the story and download free remixes of Rome and other favs @ WeArePhoenix

Bad news:  MSTRKRFT was sick (swiney?) and could not perform which changed the schedule (which put Phoenix on the mainstage) but needless to say, everyone was upset.  Worse even, I didn't see Chromeo.  Embarrassing.  At Lollapalooza '08 they were almost my favorite and somehow I managed to not see them in efforts to get good seats at other stages.  Huge mistake.

And of course, there's Savoy, a local 2 DJ's + drummer group that never ever disappoints.  We always look forward to their hometown shows at the Fox Theater (Boulder, not ATL.)  Then there was The Mars Volta.  Their drummer is impressive.  There's a lot going on.  Not my favorite.  Really impressive following, really really impressive afros.

The disposable camera squeezed out a single decent and unsurprising picture from the show.  This picture accurately portrays one of the best aspects of the festival- the vendors.  His earrings were peanut shells... Oh wait, this is pretty good too and should not be discarded...  

There are videos of Phoenix that may or may not be added at a later date.  They are shaky.  I am confident that I will eventually post them after minor editing with a small apologetic note.  Win-win-win.

Hi, nice to meet you...

I like music.  My favorite genres are of the alternative, indie, electronic, dance, sometimes remixed, sometimes pop or hip hop, not necessarily from the US persuasion.  The music I find comes from my favorite sites and blogs (listed below), my friends, last.fm, and sometimes even the "recommended" bar on iTunes.

I'm from Atlanta, I live in Boulder.  I spent the summer living in Athens, GA and I would love to live in Chicago, London, or San Fran one day.  I'm not cool enough for Brooklyn...  I am unwillingly celebrating my 22nd birthday tonight which is awful because 22 means 2010 which means graduation.  For those of you still in still in school- stay as long as you can... cherish it.  (Imagine me squeezing your face as I say this.)

Now that I've introduced myself, I do not plan on talking about myself too much in future postings.  From now on, I will do my best to share really awesome and entertaining content including: mp3s, videos, photos, links, news, reviews, and loads of random bits.  Get excited.